Underwater pipe connection apparatus

ABSTRACT

A flowline guide structure is lowered from a floating vessel along selected guide lines extending upwardly from the guide post of a previously installed standard guide structure suitably mounted at the upper end of a well bore drilled downwardly from the floor of an ocean or other body of water, the selected guide lines determining the direction in which flowlines are to extend, and which are to be secured to the flowline guide structure and appropriately aligned with flowline loops extending from a Christmas tree lowered along the guide lines and then connected to the wellhead, the flowlines being secured to the flowline loops in leak-proof relation.

[ 1March 20, 1973 APPARATUS Primary Examiner-Marvin A. ChampionAssistant Examiner-Richard E. Favreau Bobby H. Nelson, Houston, Tex.Atwmey Bemard Kriegel Vetco Offshore Industries, Inc., Ventura, Calif.[57] ABSTRACT J 1971 A flowline guide structure is lowered from afloating vessel along selected guide lines extending upwardly [21] Appl'105928 from the guide post of a previously installed standard guidestructure suitably mounted at the upper end of a 285/29 well boredrilled downwardly from the floor of an 1321b 43/01 ocean or other bodyof water, the selected guide lines ..l66/ .5, .6; 285/DlG- 21, 29determining the direction in which flowlines are to extend, and whichare to be secured to the flowline References Cited guide structure andappropriately aligned with flowline loops extending from a Christmastree UNITED STATES PATENTS lowered along the guide lines and thenconnected to the wellhead, the flowlines being secured to the UnitedStates Patent Nelson 1 UNDERWATER PIPE CONNECTION [75] Inventor:

[73] Assignee:

[22] Filed:

[51] Int. Cl.

[58] Field of Search.......

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SHEET 60F 6 B 055 MAI. A/EL 501v I UNDERWATER PIPE CONNECTION APPARATUSThe present invention relates to underwater pipe connection apparatus,and more particularly to apparatus used in effecting a connectionbetween the flowlines of an underwater Christmas tree connected to awellhead and flowlines extending laterally through the water from thewell and Christmas tree.

Prior systems for completing and producing underwater wells haverequired the use of a comparatively expensive guide structure mounted atthe underwater floor, and from which guide lines extend upwardly to afloating drilling vessel, such guide structure not only serving duringthe drilling of the well, but including auxiliary equipment usedsubsequently for guiding the Christmas tree into appropriate positionfor connection to the wellhead, and also as a means for pulling in andconnecting flowlines to the flowline loops extending from the Christmastree. At the time of lowering and anchoring the guide structure inplace, the proper direction for pulling in the flowlines had to beknown, so that the Christmas tree and flowline loops could be orientedin the proper direction. Since only a. small percentage of exploratorywell bores drilled become commercial producers, an expensive guidestructure was previously provided for routine drilling of a well,despite the fact that the'additional facilities provided on such guidestructure were not used in the event the drilled well bore was deemed tobe non-commercial.

One of the purposes of the present invention is to permit a standard andless expensive guide structure to be used in connection with thedrilling of an underwater well. After the well has been drilled and theformations encountered have been tested, which determine the well to bea commercial producer, a determination can be made of the type ofcompletion required, including a determination of the most advantageouslayout of flowlines to be connected to the Christmas tree and thedirection in which the flowlines should be run from the well.

After making the determination of the direction from the well theflowlines should extend, a flowline guide structure can be lowered downselected guide lines and onto selected guide posts of the standard guidestructure, this flowline guide structure including a flowline alignmentassembly. The Christmas tree, with the flowline loops secured thereto,can be oriented and lowered down the guide lines and onto the guideposts of the standard guide structure and into coupled relation with thewellhead, at which time the end portions of the flowline loops will beappropriately related to the flowline hub alignment assembly. Theflowlines can be moved downwardly and the end portions thereof securedto the flowline hub alignment assembly in alignment with the Christmastree hub, such parts then being coupled together in leakproof relation.Such coupling can be effected through the assistance of a diver, or itmight be effected without diver assistance, the latter usually beingaccomplished where the water depth is greater than diver depth.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other purposeswhich may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of a formin which it may be embodied. This form is shown in the drawingsaccompanying and forming part of the present specification. It will nowbe described in detail, for the purpose of illustrating the generalprinciples of the invention; but it is to be understood that suchdetailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a guidance structure disposed at a subseafloor, with a flowline guide structure secured thereto, and a Christmastree also disposed in position on the guidance structure;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged section taken along the line 2- 2 on FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical section taken along the line 33 on FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1 disclosing a guide funnel assemblyreleasably secured to the flowline guide structure, and with flowlinesbeing pulled toward the funnel assembly;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view illustrating the flowlines adjacent tothe flowline guide structure and in position to be coupled thereto;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 illustrating a hub connected to theflowline and the Christmas tree hub coupled together in leakproofrelation;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view taken along the line 77 on FIG. 6, disclosingthe releasable pivotal connection between the flowline carrier and theflowlines;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken along the line 8-8 onFIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged vertical section taken along the line 9-9 on FIG.6;

FIG. 10 is a section taken along the line 10-10 on FIG. 9;,

FIG. 11 is an enlarged section taken along the line 11-ll on FIG. 5;

FIG. 12 is a section taken along the line l2-12 on FIG. 1 1; I

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of a power device for shifting theChristmas tree hub toward and into engagement with the flowline hub.

In the drilling of a well bore W from the floor 10 of an ocean or otherbody of water, a known and standard guide structure 1 1 is secured atthe floor of the ocean at the time of spudding the well, this guidestructure being suitably secured to the ocean floor. It includes acentral hub 12 to which diagonal beams 13 are secured, side beams 14being disposed between and suitably attached, as by welding, to theouter portions of the diagonal beams. A guide post 15a, 15b, 150, or 15dextends vertically upwardly from each diagonal beam 13, guide lines 16a,16b, 16c, 16d being secured to the guide posts and extending upwardly tothe drilling platform or drilling vessel (not shown) from which the wellbore is drilled. In connection with drilling the well bore W, a wellheadhousing 17 is disposed within the central hub 12 and is suitably securedthereto, this wellhead housing 17 being all that is allowed to remainabove the hub 12 after the well bore has been drilled, and preparatoryto the running of a Christmas tree structure 18 into position, followedby the connection of its flowline loops 19 to flowlines 20 (FIGS. 4-6)that will extend laterally from the Christmas tree and the wellheadhousing 17, as described hereinbelow.

After a determination has been made of the direction the flowlines 20are to extend from the well, a flowline guide structure 21 is lowereddown a selected pair of guide lines or cables 16a, 16b and onto theircompanion guide posts a, 15b. This flowline guide structure includesvertical sleeves 22a, 22b spaced horizontally from one another adistance corresponding to the spacing between a pair of guide posts 15a,15b, these sleeves having lower guide cones 23 secured thereto forguiding the sleeves over the upper tapered ends 24 of the guide postsand onto the main cylindrical portions 25 of the guide posts therebelow.The sleeves 22a, 22b and cones or funnels 23 are welded, or otherwisesuitably secured, to an intervening cross structure 26 that includesupwardly extending portions'or arms 27 spaced from one another, theinner portion of the arms being suitably secured to flowline hubalignment members 28 spaced from and looking toward each other. Eachflowline member 28 has its marginal portions bevelled in an outwarddirection, to provide tapering or inclined guide surface 29 for otherdevices described hereinbelow.

The members 28 have inner horizontal lock grooves 30 facing toward eachother, there being upper outwardly directed horizontal flanges 31 at theupper end of each member, each flange having a vertical slot 32therethrough diverging in an outward direction. The flowline hubalignment members 28 are spaced a predetermined distance apart and arelocated on the cross member 26 of the guide structure 21 closer to oneof the vertical guide sleeves 22b than the other of the vertical guidesleeves 22a, so that the mid-point between the plate members 28 isoffset laterally from a vertical radial plane of the wellhead housing17.

The flowline guide structure 21 is lowered down selected guide cables16a, 16b and over a corresponding selected pair of guide posts 15a, 15buntil the lower ends of the guide cones 23 and cross member 26, whichmay be located in the same horizontal plane, come to rest upon a guidebeam 14. A suitable cable 35 may be used for lowering the guidestructure 21 to the position described. Upon engaging the standard guidestructure 11, the flowline guide structure 21 is locked to the latter bymeans of latches 36 (FlGs. 2, 3) pivotally mounted on the flowline guidestructure, each latch having a tapered guide nose 37 which terminates atits upper portion in a latch dog 38, the tapered guide surface 37engaging the upper flange 39 of a guide beam 14 which deflects itoutwardly until the latch dog passes below the upper flange 39,whereupon gravity of a spring 40 biases the latch inwardly to positionthe dog 38 under the flange, thereby preventing upward movement of theflowline guide structure 21 relative to the standard guide structure 11.

Before the flowline guide structure 21 is lowered down a pair of guidelines and along associated guide posts, a determination has been made ofthe direction that the flowlines are to extend with respect to thewellhead housing 17 and the Christmas tree 18 to be connected thereto.Any two adjacent guide lines and guide posts connected thereto can beselected along which the flowline guide structure 21 is to be lowered,depending upon the direction in which the flowlines 20 are to extendrelative to the well. Thus, as specifically disclosed, any one of fourdifferent directions can be selected, the lines 16a, 16b and posts 15a,15b having been selected by way of illustration.

After the flowline guide structure 21 has been lowered and locked inplace, an upward pull is taken on the line 35 of sufficient magnitude asto disrupt shear pins 35a, or the like, releasably securing the line 35to the guide structure, permitting removal of the line 35 to thedrilling vessel. The Christmas tree structure 18 is then lowered downthe guide lines 16a-16d, properly oriented so that its flowline loops 19will be placed in alignment with the hub alignment assembly members 28after the Christmas tree has been landed and locked in place. Asspecifically disclosed, the Christmas tree structure has a suitableguide frame 40 secured thereto, which, as specifically disclosed,consists of radial arms 41 attached to a centralmember 42, the outerends of the arms being attached to guide funnels 43 corresponding innumber and relative spacing to the number and spacing of guide posts15a15d.' The Christmas tree has one or a plurality of flowline loops 19attached thereto that pass through a housing 44 and terminate in a hubor connector 45 extending laterally of the central member 42 of theChristmas tree assembly, the housing being slidable longitudinally in anencompassing guide 46 spaced from" and suitably affixed to the centralmember of the Christmas tree. The Christmas tree is lowered on asuitable running string (not shown), with the end portions of theflowline loops l9 and the tree hub 45 oriented in the same direction asthe flowline hub alignment assembly member 28, lowering of the treecontinuing until the guide funnels 43 pass over the guide posts 154-1511and with a central connector'of a known type at the lower end of theChristmas tree assembly being received within the wellhead housing 17and appropriately latched thereto in leakproof relation. When thisoccurs, the tree hub 45 is aligned with the flowline hub alignmentassembly members 28, the hub 45 being spaced horizontally from suchassembly.

After the Christmas tree 18 has been landed and latched in place, theflowlines 20 are to be lowered through the water and connected to theflowline loops 19 of the Christmas tree assembly. As specificallydisclosed, an apparatus is provided for feeding the flowlines from apipe laying barge (not shown) floating in the body of water, and pullingthe flowlines inwardly toward the flowline hub alignment assembly 21.Prior to lowering the flowlines 20 from the pipe laying barge, a guidefunnel assembly 50 is provided (FIG. 4), which includes a pair of guidefunnels 51 held in spaced relation a distance equal to the spacingbetween a pair of guide posts 15a, 15b by a cross structure 52 suitablyaffixed thereto, this cross structure carrying a pair of guide funnels53 extending parallel to each other and inclined in an upward andoutward direction. The cross structure carries a pair of depending keys54 adapted to be received in the key slots 32 in the side member flanges31, there being a latch 55 pivotally mounted on each key and having alower lock dog 56 adapted to fit under a side member flange 31 toreleasably secure the guide funnel assembly 50 in a downward position. Ahelical compression spring 57 urges its guide dog 56 in an inwarddirection; whereas, a release cable 58 interconnects the upper portionsof the latches above their pivot pivot points '59, which is pulledupwardly to pivot the upper portions of the latches inwardly toward eachother and their dog portions 56 in directions outwardly from each otherand against the compression of their associated springs 57 to releasethe latch dogs from the flanges 31 of the alignment assembly when theguide funnel assembly 50 is to be released from the flowline guidestructure 21, as described hereinbelow. Such release can be effected bytaking an upward pull on a cable 60 secured to the release cable 58 andextending to the drilling vessel.

The ends of the flowlines 20 pass through and are suitably connected toa flowline support 61, the upper portion of which is pivotally connectedto lugs 62 projecting from a cross member 63 from which parallelalignment probes 64 extend. A pivot pin 65 (FIG. 7) extends through andis threaded in each lug 62, its cylindrical head 66 being piloted into acompanion bore 67 in the flowline support, such that the flow linesupport 61 and the flowlines 20 attached thereto can pivot with respectto the cross member 63 and the alignment probes 64 projecting forwardlytherefrom. The flowlines also terminate in a flowline connectionassembly or hub 20a that is to be pulled toward and I connected to theflowline hub alignment assembly 28, as described below.

A pulling line 68 is attached to the forward tapered end portion of eachalignment probe 64, each of the pulling lines extending into anassociated guide horn 53, each pulling line extending around a sheave 69rotatably mounted on the funnel assembly structure 50, the lines thenpassing over another sheave 70 rotatably mounted on the funnel assemblystructure (FIGS. 5, 6), continuing onto a winding drum 71 suitablysupported on the funnel structure 50 and rotatable by a suitablehydraulic motor and gearing -72 (not specifically detailed). If desired,the pulling lines 68 could pass around the sheaves 69 upwardly to aplatform above the well bore W, or to a vessel floating in the waterabove the well bore.

The flowline hub 20a has horizontal grooves 73 in its sides in whichlocking keys 74 are disposed, urged outwardly by helical compressionsprings 75 hearing against the base of each groove 73 and encircling capscrews 76 passing through the keys and which limit the outward movementof the keys with respect to its groove 73. The keys 74 are adapted tofit within the grooves or keyways 30 in the side members 28 of the hubalignment assembly 21. 1

The pulling lines 68 are threaded through the funnels 53 and aroundtheir sheaves 69, 70 at the surface of the water and prior to theflowlines 20 being lowered from the pipe laying barge into the water.The guide funnel assembly 50 can then be lowered along the guide lines1611,1617 toward the guide posts a, 15b, one or more loweringcables 77being secured to the 'cross structure 52. The funnel assembly 50, withthe pulling lines 68 extending through the guide horns 53 and around thesheaves 69, 70 and winding drum 71, is lowered into position on therunning cables 77 until the keys 54 enter the grooves 32 in the flanges31, the noses 79 of the latches 55 being first forced outwardly by theflanges 31 and the springs 57 then shifting the dogs 56 of the latchesunder the flanges 31 to releasably secure the guide funnel assembly 50to the flowline guide structure 2 1 The diver then appropriately causesthe hydraulic motor 72 to be operated, which effects rotation of thecoming to rest when'fully received within the guide horns or funnels 53.The continued lowering of the flowlines 20, as the pipe laying bargemoves away from the well bore, causes the flowline support 61 and the61. An upward pull is now taken on the release cable 60 to pull upwardlyon the flow line flange release cable 58 and pivot the upper ends of thelatches 55 inwardly toward each other and the latch dogs 56 outwardlyfrom under the flanges 31, to unlock the guide funnel assembly 50 fromthe flowline guide structure 21. Up-

ward movement of the cables 77 will now elevate the guide funnelassembly 50, with the alignment probes 64 disposed in the guide horns53, upwardly from the guide posts 15a, 15b and along the guide lines16a, 16b to the drilling vessel.

The diver now shifts the tree hub 45 toward the flowline hub 20a alignedtherewith. Such shifting can be effected by use of a power cylinder 80containing a piston 81 and piston rod 82 therein. The cylinder has ayoke 83 secured to one end, the rod having a yoke 84 secured to its endat the opposite portion of the power structure. One yoke 84 is placedover a pin 86 secured to the tree housing 44 and the other yoke 83 isplaced on a pin secured to the guide 46. The introduction of fluid underpressure into the head end of the cylinder 80 causes the yokes 83, 84 tomove apart, which shifts the tree hub 45 .toward the flowline hub 20a,there being suitable inclined tapered guides 87 secured to the tree hub45 engaging the upper and lower edges of the flowline hub 20a, the sidesof the tree hub engaging the.

inclined faces 29 of the hub alignment members 28 to insure theengagement of the tree hub with the flowline hub 20a in proper alignedcondition, and with screws 88 disposed in the tree hub in alignment withthreaded holes 89 in the flowline hub 20a. The tree hub 45 is free tomove toward the flowline hub 20a, in view of the sliding of the housing44 within the guide 46, the loops.

19 flexing sufficiently without damage to permit such movement to occur.

The flowline loops 19 communicate with and are aligned with passages 90in the tree hub, the flowlines 20 also being aligned with companionpassages 91 inv the flowline hub 20a. The flowline hub carries a sealring 92 surrounding each of its passages, the tree hub having companionend grooves 93 adapted to receive such seal rings. When the tree hub 45has been brought into engagement with the flowline hub a, the seal rings92 are received within the companion seal grooves 93 in the tree hub.The diver now threads the screws 88 into the threaded holes 89 andtightens them to firmly secure the tree hub to the flowline hub, andwith the seal rings 92 forced within the seal grooves 93 and in sealedrelation therewith, as well as with the flowline hub 20a.

The power cylinder 80 can be removed after threading and tightening ofthe screws 88 into the flowline hub, the screws being readily accessibleto the diver.

It is, accordingly, apparent that an apparatus has been provided inwhich a standard guide structure can be employed, thereby effectingsubstantial cost savings. After the well has proved to be commercial,the flowline guide structure 21 can be lowered along an appropriate pairof guide lines to place the flowline hub alignment assembly in theproper direction for the subsequent connection of the flowline 20 to theflowline loops 19 extending from the Christmas tree. The flowline hub20a is appropriately related to the hub alignment assembly 28 and islocked thereto in alignment with the tree hub 45, after which the treehub 45 and flowline hub 20a are coupled to one another in leakproofrelation. The mechanism 50 for guiding the flowlines 20 and the flowlinehub 20a toward the hub alignment assembly 21 is releasably latched tothe flow line guide structure 21 and can be released and removed forsubsequent use on another well.

Although the Christmas tree assembly 18 has been described as beinglowered into position before lowering of the guide assembly 50 intoposition, the latter can, if desired, be lowered into position first andthe flowlines 20 and hub 20a pulled into and coupled to the alignmentmembers 28, the assembly 50 then being removed and the Christmas treerun into place.

Iclaim:

1. In apparatus wherein a guidance system is disposed at and extendsupwardly from the floor of a body of water and through which a well borehas been drilled into the underlying formation, the combinationtherewith of a flowline guide structure movable downwardly along saidsystem to a predetermined position, flowline alignment means secured tosaid flowline guide structure, fluid flow apparatus including one ormore first flowlines and lowered along said system into communicationwith the well bore with end portions of said one or more flowlinesfacing said alignment means, one or more second flowlines adapted to belowered through the body of water, after said flowline guide structurehas been lowered to said predetermined position, connector means securedto said one or more second flowlines and engageable with said alignmentmeans to position said connector means in alignment with said endportions of said one or more first flowlines, guide means adjacent toand disposed to one side of said flowline alignment means, meansoperatively connected to said guide means for moving said connectormeans and one or more second flowlines toward said guide structure toengage said connector means with said alignment means, and means foroperatively connecting said one or more first flowlines and one or moresecond flowlines to each other, whereby fluid can flow therebetween.

2. In apparatus wherein a guidance structure is disposed at and extendsupwardly from the floor of a body of water and through which a well borehas been drilled into the underlying formation, the guidance structureincluding upwardly extending guide posts and guide lines extendingupwardly from the posts, the combination therewith of a flowline guidestructure movable along one or more selected guide lines and over one ormore guide posts connected thereto, flowline alignment means secured tosaid flowline guide structure, fluid flow apparatus including one ormore first flowlines and lowered down the guide lines and over the guideposts into communication with the well bore with end portions of saidone or more flowlines facing said alignment means, one or more secondflowlines adapted to be lowered through the body of water after saidflowline guide structure has been moved over said one or more guideposts, connector means secured to said one or more second flowlines andengageable with said alignment means whereby said connector means ispositionable in alignment with said end portions of said one or morefirst flowlines, guide means adjacent to and disposed to one side ofsaid flowline alignment means, means operatively connected to said guidemeans for moving said connector means and one or more second flowlinestoward said guide structure to engage said connector means with saidalignment means, and means for operatively connecting said one or morefirst flowlines and one or more second flowlines to each other, wherebyfluid can flow therebetween.

3. In apparatus as defined in claim 2; and means for securing saidflowline guide structure to said, guidance structure.

4. In apparatus as defined in claim 2; and means for securing saidconnector means to said alignment means, whereby said connector meanswill be in alignment with said end portions of said one or more firstflowlines.

5. In apparatus as defined in claim 2; means for securing said flowlineguide structure to said guidance structure; and means for securing saidconnector means to said alignment means in alignment with said endportions of said one or more first flowlines.

6. In apparatus as defined in claim 2; said connecting means includingmeans for shifting said one or more first flowlines toward saidconnector means.

7. In apparatus as defined in claim 2; means for securing said flowlineguide structure to said guidance structure; and means for securing saidconnector means to said alignment means in alignment with said endportions of said one or more first flowlines, said connecting meansincluding means for shifting said one or more first flowlines towardsaid connector means.

8. In apparatus wherein a guidance system is disposed at and extendsupwardly from the floor of a body of water and through which a well borehas been drilled into the underlying formation, the combinationtherewith of a flowline guide structure movable downwardly along saidsystem to a predetermined position, flowline alignment means secured tosaid flowline guide structure, fluid flow apparatus including one ormore first flowlines and lowered along said system into communicationwith the well bore with end portions of said one or more flowlinesfacing said alignment means,

a guide assembly lowered along said system to a location adjacent tosaid flowline guide structure, a carrier, one or more second flowlinescarried by said carrier and adapted to be lowered therewith through thebody of water after said flowline guide structure has been moved to saidpredetermined position, connector means secured to said one or moresecond flowlines, and means interconnecting said guide assembly andcarrier for pulling said carrier, connector means and one or more secondflowlines toward said guide assembly and flowline guide structure toengage said connector means with said alignment means whereby saidconnector means is positionable in alignment with said end portions ofsaid one or more first flowlines, and means for operatively connectingsaid one or more first flowlines and one or more second flowlines toeach other, whereby fluid can flow therebetween.

9. ln apparatus wherein a guidance structure is disposed at and extendsupwardly from the floor of a body of water and through which a well borehas been drilled into the underlying formation, the guidance structureincluding upwardly extending guide posts and guide lines extendingupwardly from the posts, the combination therewith of a flowline guidestructure movable along one or more selected guide lines and over one ormore guide posts connected thereto, flowline alignment means secured tosaid flowline guide structure, fluid flow apparatus including one ormore first flowlines and lowered down the guide lines and over the guideposts into communication with the well bore with end portions of saidone or more flowlines facing said alignment means, a guide assemblylowered along said one or more selected guide lines and over said one ormore guide posts connected thereto, a carrier, one or more secondflowlines carried by said carrier and adapted to be lowered therewiththrough the body of water after said flowline guide structure has beenmoved over said one or more guide posts, connector means secured to saidone or more second flowlines, and means interconnecting said guideassembly and carrier for pulling said carrier, connector means and oneor more second flowlines toward said guide assembly and flowline guidestructure to engage said connector means with said alignment meanswhereby said connector means is positionable in alignment with said endportions of said one or more first flowlines, and means for operativelyconnecting said one or more first flowlines and one or more secondflowlines to each other, whereby fluid can flow therebetween.

10. In apparatus as defined in claim 9; means releasably securing saidguide assembly to said flowline guide structure, and means for releasingsaid securing means.

11. In apparatus as defined in claim 9; and means releasably securingsaid carrier to said one or more second flowlines.

12. In apparatus as defined in claim 9; means releasably securing saidguide assembly to said flowline guide structure, means for releasingsaid securing means, and means releasably securing said carrier to saidone or more second flowlines.

13. In apparatus as defined in claim 9; said guide assembly includingone or more funnels, said carrier includin one or more probes receivablein said one or more unnels to engage said connector means with saidalignment means, said pulling means including one or more linesconnected to said one or more probes and passing through said one ormore funnels.

14. In apparatus as defined in claim 9; said guide assembly includingone or more funnels, said carrier including one or more probesreceivable in said one or more funnels to engage said connector meanswith said alignment means, said pulling means including one or morelines connected to said one or more probes and passing through said oneor more funnels; means releasably securing said guide assembly to saidflowline guide structure, and means for releasing said securing means.

15. In apparatus as defined in claim 9; said guide assembly includingone or more funnels, said carrier including one or more probesreceivable in said one or more funnels to engage said connector meanswith said alignment means, said pulling means including one or morelines connected to said one or more probes and passing through said oneor more funnels; means releasably securing said guide assembly to saidflowline guide structure, and means for releasing said securing means;and means releasably securing said carrier to said one or more secondflowlines.

1. In apparatus wherein a guidance system is disposed at and extendsupwardly from the floor of a body of water and through which a well borehas been drilled into the underlying formation, the combinationtherewith of a flowline guide structure movable downwardly along saidsystem to a predetermined position, flowline alignment means secured tosaid flowline guide structure, fluid flow apparatus including one ormore first flowlines and lowered along said system into communicationwith the well bore with end poRtions of said one or more flowlinesfacing said alignment means, one or more second flowlines adapted to belowered through the body of water, after said flowline guide structurehas been lowered to said predetermined position, connector means securedto said one or more second flowlines and engageable with said alignmentmeans to position said connector means in alignment with said endportions of said one or more first flowlines, guide means adjacent toand disposed to one side of said flowline alignment means, meansoperatively connected to said guide means for moving said connectormeans and one or more second flowlines toward said guide structure toengage said connector means with said alignment means, and means foroperatively connecting said one or more first flowlines and one or moresecond flowlines to each other, whereby fluid can flow therebetween. 2.In apparatus wherein a guidance structure is disposed at and extendsupwardly from the floor of a body of water and through which a well borehas been drilled into the underlying formation, the guidance structureincluding upwardly extending guide posts and guide lines extendingupwardly from the posts, the combination therewith of a flowline guidestructure movable along one or more selected guide lines and over one ormore guide posts connected thereto, flowline alignment means secured tosaid flowline guide structure, fluid flow apparatus including one ormore first flowlines and lowered down the guide lines and over the guideposts into communication with the well bore with end portions of saidone or more flowlines facing said alignment means, one or more secondflowlines adapted to be lowered through the body of water after saidflowline guide structure has been moved over said one or more guideposts, connector means secured to said one or more second flowlines andengageable with said alignment means whereby said connector means ispositionable in alignment with said end portions of said one or morefirst flowlines, guide means adjacent to and disposed to one side ofsaid flowline alignment means, means operatively connected to said guidemeans for moving said connector means and one or more second flowlinestoward said guide structure to engage said connector means with saidalignment means, and means for operatively connecting said one or morefirst flowlines and one or more second flowlines to each other, wherebyfluid can flow therebetween.
 3. In apparatus as defined in claim 2; andmeans for securing said flowline guide structure to said guidancestructure.
 4. In apparatus as defined in claim 2; and means for securingsaid connector means to said alignment means, whereby said connectormeans will be in alignment with said end portions of said one or morefirst flowlines.
 5. In apparatus as defined in claim 2; means forsecuring said flowline guide structure to said guidance structure; andmeans for securing said connector means to said alignment means inalignment with said end portions of said one or more first flowlines. 6.In apparatus as defined in claim 2; said connecting means includingmeans for shifting said one or more first flowlines toward saidconnector means.
 7. In apparatus as defined in claim 2; means forsecuring said flowline guide structure to said guidance structure; andmeans for securing said connector means to said alignment means inalignment with said end portions of said one or more first flowlines,said connecting means including means for shifting said one or morefirst flowlines toward said connector means.
 8. In apparatus wherein aguidance system is disposed at and extends upwardly from the floor of abody of water and through which a well bore has been drilled into theunderlying formation, the combination therewith of a flowline guidestructure movable downwardly along said system to a predeterminedposition, flowline alignment means secured to said flowline guidestructure, fluid flow apparatus including one or more first flowlinesand lowered along said system into communication with the well bore withend portions of said one or more flowlines facing said alignment means,a guide assembly lowered along said system to a location adjacent tosaid flowline guide structure, a carrier, one or more second flowlinescarried by said carrier and adapted to be lowered therewith through thebody of water after said flowline guide structure has been moved to saidpredetermined position, connector means secured to said one or moresecond flowlines, and means interconnecting said guide assembly andcarrier for pulling said carrier, connector means and one or more secondflowlines toward said guide assembly and flowline guide structure toengage said connector means with said alignment means whereby saidconnector means is positionable in alignment with said end portions ofsaid one or more first flowlines, and means for operatively connectingsaid one or more first flowlines and one or more second flowlines toeach other, whereby fluid can flow therebetween.
 9. In apparatus whereina guidance structure is disposed at and extends upwardly from the floorof a body of water and through which a well bore has been drilled intothe underlying formation, the guidance structure including upwardlyextending guide posts and guide lines extending upwardly from the posts,the combination therewith of a flowline guide structure movable alongone or more selected guide lines and over one or more guide postsconnected thereto, flowline alignment means secured to said flowlineguide structure, fluid flow apparatus including one or more firstflowlines and lowered down the guide lines and over the guide posts intocommunication with the well bore with end portions of said one or moreflowlines facing said alignment means, a guide assembly lowered alongsaid one or more selected guide lines and over said one or more guideposts connected thereto, a carrier, one or more second flowlines carriedby said carrier and adapted to be lowered therewith through the body ofwater after said flowline guide structure has been moved over said oneor more guide posts, connector means secured to said one or more secondflowlines, and means interconnecting said guide assembly and carrier forpulling said carrier, connector means and one or more second flowlinestoward said guide assembly and flowline guide structure to engage saidconnector means with said alignment means whereby said connector meansis positionable in alignment with said end portions of said one or morefirst flowlines, and means for operatively connecting said one or morefirst flowlines and one or more second flowlines to each other, wherebyfluid can flow therebetween.
 10. In apparatus as defined in claim 9;means releasably securing said guide assembly to said flowline guidestructure, and means for releasing said securing means.
 11. In apparatusas defined in claim 9; and means releasably securing said carrier tosaid one or more second flowlines.
 12. In apparatus as defined in claim9; means releasably securing said guide assembly to said flowline guidestructure, means for releasing said securing means, and means releasablysecuring said carrier to said one or more second flowlines.
 13. Inapparatus as defined in claim 9; said guide assembly including one ormore funnels, said carrier including one or more probes receivable insaid one or more funnels to engage said connector means with saidalignment means, said pulling means including one or more linesconnected to said one or more probes and passing through said one ormore funnels.
 14. In apparatus as defined in claim 9; said guideassembly including one or more funnels, said carrier including one ormore probes receivable in said one or more funnels to engage saidconnector means with said alignment means, said pulling means includingone or more lines connected to said one or more probes and passingthrough said one or more funnels; means releasably securing said guideassembly to said flowline guide structure, and Means for releasing saidsecuring means.
 15. In apparatus as defined in claim 9; said guideassembly including one or more funnels, said carrier including one ormore probes receivable in said one or more funnels to engage saidconnector means with said alignment means, said pulling means includingone or more lines connected to said one or more probes and passingthrough said one or more funnels; means releasably securing said guideassembly to said flowline guide structure, and means for releasing saidsecuring means; and means releasably securing said carrier to said oneor more second flowlines.